Christine Irene Stratton
February 15, 1948 – June 15, 2024
In 1948, Bill and Ruth Adelman welcomed a belated valentine. On February 15th, Christine Irene, their second child and only daughter, was born at Renton Hospital.
During her vibrant life, she won many hearts, giving hers away to only one: Charles Stratton. At their Seattle home on June 15th, he was her comfort as the pancreatic cancer she so bravely faced, prevailed. Christine was 76.
A 1966 graduate of Renton High, she developed a fondness for travel as an American Field Service Exchange Student to Sheffield, England. A freshman at WSU, she joined Alpha Chi Omega sorority meeting women who became lifelong friends. Her education was completed at the UW in 1970 with a degree in Liberal Arts.
Christine and Charles, a fellow UW graduate, were married in 1982. Together, they grew Park Avenue, their custom cabinetry business, retiring in 2021. At home in the University District, they continued to work side by side, cooking, gardening, and living a life of mutual devotion for 42 years.
Farewell, dear memory maker; northwest girl who wandered six continents; Scandinavian sister, tall and blonde; lover of vintage hats, and cats – Beezer and Sadie; fountain pen fancier and Wordle wizard; collector of art and beautiful things with old stories; connoisseur of champagne bubbles and those who love cheese; recommender of good books; groomer of roses; owner of a ’66 Mustang, her ‘Precious’; protector of strays and noble trees; mistress of the yoga mat; wearer of garnets, and glasses with class; jazz aficionado and PBS fan; heirloom gardener who shared her raspberries; and steadfast friend to the young, old, and kindhearted of any persuasion.
Christine will be missed in immeasurable ways by her husband Charles, and those fortunate to have known her: Brother John Adelman, “She had a unique style,” wife Marilyn, and their children Michelle, Becky and Ben. Brother Tom (T.R.) Adelman, “She was always kind,” wife Marcy and their children Mike and Brian. Brother-in-law, Mark, wife Belle, and nieces Julie and Realyn. Also, numerous grand nieces and nephews who loved Auntie Chris: “She never forgot a birthday and always gave the best present.” And travel companion Terri Blattspieler, the sister she never had.
To honor Christine’s memory donations may be made to KNKX Public Radio http://knkx.org/donate or the University Family branch of Seattle YMCA. https://www.seattleymca.org/give/donate or Seattle Jazz Fellowship https://seattlejazzfellowship.org/checkout/donate